(19)
(11) EP 1 790 607 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
23.03.2011 Bulletin 2011/12

(21) Application number: 06024279.9

(22) Date of filing: 23.11.2006
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
B66B 1/34(2006.01)
B66B 1/48(2006.01)

(54)

Safety device for automatically checking the weight of the load present on one or more lifting groups of an elevator, of a platform, of a lift or of other similar apparatuses

Sicherheitseinrichtung zur automatischen Erkennung des Gewichts einer aus mehreren vorhandenen Aufzugseinheiten eines Aufzuges, einer Hebebühne o.ä.

Dispositif de sécurité pour vérifier automatiquement le poids de la charge sur un ou plusieurs unité d'ascenseur, d'une plateforme, ou d'autres appareils semblables


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

(30) Priority: 29.11.2005 IT VI20050313

(43) Date of publication of application:
30.05.2007 Bulletin 2007/22

(73) Proprietor: Maber costruzioni s.r.l.
35014 Fontaniva (Padova) (IT)

(72) Inventors:
  • Bertoncello, Roberto
    35014 Fontaniva (Padova) (IT)
  • Bertoncello, Luciano
    36050 Pozzoleone (Vicenza) (IT)
  • Benetton, Giovanni
    31038 Paese (Treviso) (IT)

(74) Representative: Bettello, Pietro 
Via Col d'Echele, 25
36100 Vicenza
36100 Vicenza (IT)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A- 0 755 894
JP-A- 55 071 916
US-B1- 6 450 299
EP-A- 1 498 379
US-A- 4 071 116
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description


    [0001] The present finding concerns a safety device for automatically checking the weight of the load to be mounted on a lifting group of an elevator, of a platform, of a lift or of other similar apparatuses, according to the general part of claim 1.

    [0002] The use of apparatuses, known by the generic term "elevators", which lift things and/or people along a supporting column is widespread in all sectors of industry and in particular in building.

    [0003] The elevator essentially consists of a base equipped with large adjustable screws, from which a column made up of modular elements rises up.

    [0004] The load platform, which is preferably motorised through a rack and pinion coupling, slides vertically on the column.

    [0005] The elevator is completed with safety devices, such as an emergency brake, which is automatically activated in the case in which the speed of descent exceeds the values set by the safety standards.

    [0006] In particular, safety standards and instructions recommend that the machine (elevator, platform or lift) be equipped with devices that continuously check the weight of the load lifted so that when there is an "overload", i.e. when the maximum weight value is exceeded, the shut down procedure is immediately activated and the apparatus is automatically blocked.

    [0007] In the current state of the art numerous devices are known that detect the weight loaded onto the machine, but most of them have numerous constructive and operative drawbacks.

    [0008] In particular the document JP-A-55071916 can be cited, that describes a safety device automatically checking the weight of the load present of an elevator.

    [0009] This device foresees that the platform, able to slide on a column, consists of a board on which the load rests and a motorisation group, which supports the motor group, consisting of a geared motor, which moves said platform along said column, wherein the two components of the platform consist of two and separate groups, between which an intermediate element is inserted that, as well as acting as connection means between the said two groups, to allow the entire platform to be moved vertically, also detects the weight value of the material loaded onto said platform.

    [0010] The purpose of the present finding is to make an elevator comprising a safety device of the type above described, that presents particular embodiement forms that permits to obtain remarkable advantages on respect of the similar known devices. This is obtained by conforming the elevator comprising a safety device according to the characterizing portion of claim 1.

    [0011] The finding shall be better understood through the description of a possible embodiment thereof, given just as a non-limiting example, with the help of the attached tables of drawings, where:
    • figs. 1 and 2 (tables I-II) represent two views, in front and side elevation respectively, of an elevator group equipped with the safety device according to the finding, in a first embodiment;
    • figs. 3 and 4 (tables III-IV) represent two views, in front and side elevation respectively, of an elevator group equipped with the safety device according to the finding, in a second embodiment.


    [0012] As can be seen in the figures, the mobile platform, wholly indicated with 1, able to slide on the column 2, consists of a board 3 on which the load is rested and a motorisation group, wholly indicated with 4, consisting of a welded structure 5, which supports the geared motor 6, which through the rack and pinion coupling 7 takes care of moving the aforementioned platform on the aforementioned column, all according to per se known configurations.

    [0013] The novelty characteristic of the finding consists of the fact that the board 3 is connected to the motorisation group 4, through the interposition of an elastic means, preferably consisting of a plurality of springs or another similar device, wholly indicated with reference numeral 8.

    [0014] As can be seen in figures 1 and 2, in a first embodiment the board 3 is equipped with a frame 9, from which a plate 10 projects, which rests on the springs 8, supported through the cross member 11, belonging to the welded structure 5.

    [0015] Said frame 9 is also equipped with small wheels 12, engaged to slide in guides 13, applied to the frame 5 so that the board 3, as well as resting on the springs 8, is also vertically fixed to the motorisation group 4.

    [0016] In operation, as can easily be seen by observing figures 1 and 2, when overloading accidentally occurs, i.e. the weight of the products and/or people loaded on the board 3 exceeds the predetermined maximum, the springs 8, being calibrated up to the aforementioned predetermined weight, undergo a compression that exceeds such a value, for which reason a relative sliding between the board 3 and the motorisation group 4 occurs, i.e. the board lowers with respect to the motorisation group.

    [0017] In a second embodiment, as can be seen in figures 3 and 4, the board 3 is equipped with a frame 9, from which a plate 10.1 projects, which fastens at the bottom to the springs 8.1, in turn hung at the cross member 11.1, belonging to the welded structure 5.

    [0018] In operation, as can easily be seen by observing figures 3 and 4, when overloading accidentally occurs, i.e. the weight of the products and/or people loaded on the board 3 exceeds the predetermined maximum, the springs 8.1, being calibrated up to the aforementioned predetermined weight, undergo a traction that exceeds such a value, for which reason a relative sliding between the board 3 and the motorisation group 4 occurs, with the board lowering with respect to the motorisation group.

    [0019] In both cases, as can be seen in figures 1 and 3, the millimetric lowering of the board 3 is detected through a detector 14, limit switch or other device suitable for the purpose, fixed onto the upright 15 of the frame 5, which is activated by the lowering of the sliding block 16 applied, instead, onto the upright 17 of the frame 9.

    [0020] Finally, thanks to the constructive solution according to the finding, i.e. with the board mounted mobile on the motorisation group, it is possible to avoid damaging the load plane, caused by an accidental presence of foreign bodies on the ground, when it reached the end of the bottom stroke.

    [0021] This is obtained by applying a limit switch 18 onto the upright 15 of the frame 5, which is activated and stops the machine in contact with the sliding block 19 applied to the upright 17 of the frame 9 in the case in which, during the final descent step of the platform, there are bodies on the ground that are taller than the predetermined height of the load plane from the ground.

    [0022] Of course, embodiments different to the one described are also possible, according to the components used to make the device according to the finding, without for this reason departing from the scope of the following claims.


    Claims

    1. ELEVATOR COMPRISING A SAFETY DEVICE FOR. AUTOMATICALLY CHECKING THE WEIGHT OF THE LOAD PRESENT ON ONE OR MORE LIFTING GROUPS OF THE SAID ELEVATOR SAID DEVICE BEING of the type in which it is foreseen that the mobile platform or the cabin (1), able to slide on a column (2), consists of a board (3) on which the load rests and a motorisation group (4), formed from a welded structure (5), which supports the motor group, consisting of a geared motor (6) or another work device, which, through a rack and pinion coupling or with another type of connection (7) , takes care of moving the aforementioned platform on the aforementioned column, said safety device wherein foresees that the two components of the platform (1), i.e. the board (3) on which the load is rested and the motorisation group (4) consist of two distinct and separate work groups, between which an elastic intermediate element (8) is inserted that, as well as acting as connection means between the aforementioned two groups, to allow the entire platform to be moved vertically, also detects the weight value of the material loaded onto the board, characterized in that the elastic intermediate element (8) consists of preloaded springs, which operate under compression, being provided that the board (3) is equipped with a frame (9), from which a plate (10) projects, which rests upon the springs (8), supported by a cross member (11), belonging to the welded structure (5), wherein the frame (9) is equipped wich small wheels (12) engaged to slide in guides (13), applied onto the frame (5) so that the board (3), as well as being rested on the intermediate element (8), is also vertically fixed to the motorisation group (4).
     
    2. Elevator, according to claim 1, characterised in that, in overloaded condition, when the weight of the products loaded on the board (3) exceeds a predetermined maximum weight value, the springs (8) undergo a compression deformation, for which reason a relative sliding occurs between the board (3) and the motorisation group (4), with the lowering of the aforementioned board with respect to the aforementioned motorisation group and said Micrometric lowering is detected by at least one apparatus (14) such as a limit switch or another similar device, fixed to the upright (15) of the frame (5) and that is activated by the lowering or the sliding block (16) applied to the upright (17) of the frame (9).
     
    3. Elevator, according to claim 1, characterised in that, in overloaded condition, when the weight of the products loaded on the board (3) exceeds a predetermined maximum weight value, the springs (8.1) undergo an extension deformation, for which reason a relative sliding occurs between the board (3) and the motorisation group (4), with the lowering of the aforementioned board with respect to the aforementioned motorisation group and said micrometric lowering is detected by at least one apparatus (14) such as a limit switch or another similar device, fixed to the upright (15) of the frame (5) and that is activated by the lowering of the sliding block (16) applied to the upright (17) of the frame (9).
     
    4. Elevator, according to claim 1, characterised in that the elastic intermediate element: (8.1) consists of preloaded springs, which operate under traction.
     
    5. Elevator according to claim 4, characterised in that the board (3) is equipped with a frame (9), from which a plate (10.1) projects, which attaches at the bottom on the springs (8.1), hung from the cross member. (11.1), belonging to the welded structure (5).
     


    Ansprüche

    1. ELEVATOR, UMFASSEND EINE SICHERHEITSVORRICHTUNG ZUM AUTOMATISCHEN PRÜFEN DES GEWICHTS DER AUF EINER ODER MEHREREN HUBGRUPPEN DIESES ELEVATORS BEFINDLICHEN LAST, wobei bei der Vorrichtung vorgesehen ist, dass die bewegliche Plattform oder Kabine (1), die auf einem Mast (2) gleiten kann, aus einer Platte (3), auf der die Last ruht, und einer Antriebseinheit (4) besteht, die aus einer Schweißkonstruktion (5) gebildet ist, welche die Motoreinheit trägt, die aus einem Getriebemotor (6) oder einer anderen Arbeitseinrichtung besteht, die mittels einer Zahnstange/Ritzel-Verbindung oder einer andersartigen Verbindung (7) die Bewegung der vorgenannten Plattform auf dem vorgenannten Mast besorgt, wobei diese Sicherheitsvorrichtung vorsieht, dass die zwei Bestandteile der Plattform (1), d.h. die Platte (3), auf der die Last ruht, und die Antriebseinheit (4), aus zwei verschiedenen und separaten Arbeitseinheiten bestehen, zwischen die ein elastisches Zwischenelement (8) eingefügt ist, das sowohl als Verbindungsmittel zwischen den beiden vorgenannten Einheiten dient, um die vertikale Bewegung der gesamten Plattform zu ermöglichen, als auch den Gewichtswert des auf die Platte geladenen Materials erfasst, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das elastische Zwischenelement (8) aus unter Druck arbeitenden vorgespannten Federn besteht, wobei vorgesehen ist, dass die Platte (3) mit einem Rahmen (9) versehen ist, aus dem eine Platte (10) hervorragt, die auf den Federn (8) ruht, die von einem Querelement (11) getragen werden, das zur Schweißkonstruktion (5)gehört, wobei der Rahmen (9) mit kleinen Rädern (12) versehen ist, die zum Gleiten in Führungen (13) in Eingriff gebracht sind, die auf dem Rahmen (5) angebracht sind, so dass die Platte (13) sowohl auf dem Zwischenelement (8) ruht, als auch vertikal an der Antriebseinheit (4) befestigt ist.
     
    2. Elevator nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Federn (8) bei Überladung, wenn das Gewicht der auf die Platte (3) geladenen Güter einen vorbestimmten maximalen Gewichtswert überschreitet, einer Druckverformung unterzogen werden, weshalb es zu einer relativen Verschiebung zwischen der Platte (3) und der Antriebseinheit (4) in Verbindung mit dem Absenken der vorgenannten Platte gegenüber der vorgenannten Antriebseinheit kommt, und diese mikrometrische Absenkung von mindestens einer Vorrichtung (14) wie beispielsweise einem Grenzschalter oder einer anderen ähnlichen Vorrichtung erfasst wird, die am Pfosten (15) des Rahmens (5) befestigt ist und die durch das Absinken des Gleitstücks (16) betätigt wird, das am Pfosten (17) des Rahmens (9) befestigt ist.
     
    3. Elevator nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Federn (8.1) bei Überladung, wenn das Gewicht der auf die Platte (3) geladenen Güter einen vorbestimmten maximalen Gewichtswert überschreitet, einer Dehnungsverformung unterzogen werden, weshalb es zu einer relativen Verschiebung zwischen der Platte (3) und der Antriebseinheit (4) in Verbindung mit dem Absenken der vorgenannten Platte gegenüber der vorgenannten Antriebseinheit kommt, und diese mikrometrische Absenkung von mindestens einer Vorrichtung (14) wie beispielsweise einem Grenzschalter oder einer anderen ähnlichen Vorrichtung erfasst wird, die am Pfosten (15) des Rahmens (5) befestigt ist und die durch das Absinken des Gleitstücks (16) betätigt wird, das am Pfosten (17) des Rahmens (9) befestigt ist.
     
    4. Elevator nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das elastische Zwischenelement (8.1) aus unter Zug arbeitenden vorgespannten Federn besteht.
     
    5. Elevator nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Platte (3) mit einem Rahmen (9) versehen ist, aus dem eine Platte (10.1) hervorragt, die an der Unterseite der Federn (8.1) befestigt ist, die vom Querelement (11.1) herabhängen, das zur Schweißkonstruktion (5) gehört.
     


    Revendications

    1. Elévateur comprenant un dispositif de sécurité pour le contrôle automatique du poids de la charge présente sur un ou plusieurs groupes de levage dudit élévateur, ledit dispositif étant du type dans lequel il est prévu que la plateforme mobile de la cabine (1), en mesure de coulisser sur une colonne (2), soit constituée par un plateau (3) sur lequel la charge repose et un groupe de motorisation (4), formé par une structure soudée (5) qui supporte le groupe moteur, comprenant un motoréducteur (6) ou autre dispositif de travail, lequel, par l'intermédiaire d'un accouplement à crémaillère ou avec un autre type de connexion (7), a pour fonction de déplacer la plateforme précitée sur la colonne précitée, dans lequel ledit dispositif de sécurité prévoit que les deux composants de la plateforme (1), c'est-à-dire le plateau (3) sur lequel la charge est posée et le groupe de motorisation (4), soient composés de deux groupes de travail séparés et distincts, entre lesquels est interposé un élément intermédiaire élastique (8) qui, tout en agissant comme des moyens de connexion entre les deux groupes précités, pour permettre à l'ensemble de la plateforme d'être déplacé verticalement, détecte également la valeur de poids du matériel chargé sur le plateau, caractérisé en ce que l'élément intermédiaire élastique (8) est constitué par des ressorts pré-chargés, qui travaillent sous compression, étant prévu que le plateau (3) soit équipé d'un châssis (9), duquel une plaque (10) fait saillie, qui repose sur les ressorts (8), supportés par un élément transversal (11), appartenant à la structure soudée (5), dans lequel le châssis (9) est équipé de petites roues (12) engagées pour glisser dans des guides (13), appliqués sur le châssis (5) de manière que le plateau (3), tout en étant posé sur l'élément intermédiaire (8), est également fixé verticalement au groupe de motorisation (4).
     
    2. Elévateur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que, en condition de surcharge, quand le poids des produits chargés sur le plateau (3) dépasse une valeur de poids maximale prédéterminée, les ressorts (8) subissent une déformation de compression, raison pour laquelle il se produit un coulissement relatif entre le plateau (3) et le groupe de motorisation (4), avec l'abaissement du plateau précité par rapport au groupe de motorisation précité et ledit abaissement micrométrique est détecté par au moins un dispositif (14) de manière qu'un commutateur de fin de course ou autre dispositif similaire, fixé au montant (15) du châssis (5) et qui est activé par l'abaissement du bloc coulissant (16) appliqué au montant (17) du châssis (9).
     
    3. Elévateur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que, en condition de surcharge, quand le poids des produits chargés sur le plateau (3) dépasse une valeur de poids maximale prédéterminée, les ressorts (8.1) subissent une déformation d'extension, raison pour laquelle il se produit un coulissement relatif entre le plateau (3) et le groupe de motorisation (4), avec l'abaissement du plateau précité par rapport au groupe de motorisation précité et ledit abaissement micrométrique est détecté par au moins un dispositif (14) de manière qu'un commutateur de fin de course ou autre dispositif similaire, fixé au montant (15) du châssis (5) et qui est activé par l'abaissement du bloc coulissant (16) appliqué au montant (17) du châssis (9).
     
    4. Elévateur selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'élément intermédiaire élastique (8.1) est constitué par des ressorts pré-chargés, qui travaillent sous traction.
     
    5. Elévateur selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que le plateau (3) est équipé d'un châssis (9), duquel une plaque (10.1) fait saillie, qui est reliée par le dessous aux ressorts (8.1), suspendus à l'élément transversal (11.1) appartenant à la structure soudée (5).
     




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    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description